Sea Onion Plant Care

Sea Onion (Drimia maritima) belongs to the Asparagaceae family within the Drimia genus. Sea Onion is native to southern Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa. Sea Onion is also known as Mediterranean Scilla.

Sea Onion displays a tall, spiky foliage growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Sea Onion produces showy clusters of small, fragrant flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Sea Onion every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Sea Onion thrives in bright indirect to full sun. Avoid placing Sea Onion in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Drimia maritima tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Sea Onion prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining sandy soil mix with perlite and peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Sea Onion to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Sea Onion every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with bright indirect to full sun and well-draining sandy soil mix with perlite and peat moss. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Sea Onion is suited to USDA Zone 13b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Sea Onion can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Sea Onion while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Sea Onion is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Sea Onion can be propagated through offsets, bulb division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to cape slangkop plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Sea Onion is susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, aphids. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Sea Onion grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Sea Onion is native to southern Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa. In cooler regions, grow Sea Onion as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.